I’ve talked a lot about my love of Pure Barre – it really is my favorite activity other than running and I’ve been thinking about what exactly it is that I enjoy so much. After some thought, I came up with a few reasons why I love Pure Barre as much as I do.
Note: this is not a sponsored post. I just really love Pure Barre.
- The workout works. This is the most important thing to me. I only have a limited amount of time for workouts (like most folks) and I need my workouts to be effective. Pure Barre is a full body workout and has made me much stronger over the past couple years. I’ve noticed the changes and it has definitely helped to improve my running.
- It’s always changing. I am never bored in class because the instructors are constantly learning new ways to torture / challenge us. Plus with the addition of Pure Barre Platform, there’s always a way to switch it up.
- The community is incredible. I’ve been to so many fitness studios and sometimes the workout is great but the community is not. This is number 3 on my list but might actually be number 1. I absolutely adore the Pure Barre community. It’s incredibly welcoming, diverse and encouraging. The women that I’ve met through Pure Barre have become friends and I don’t say that lightly.
Recently there was an article examining Pure Barre in a feminist light that got some traction. In it, the author recounted being told that her ankles were showing (a reference to the fact that sometimes in barre classes women will pull their socks over the heels of their leggings). She talked about the references to diamonds (in terms of making a diamond shape with your legs) and commented on the lack of diversity at Pure Barre. Everyone has their own experience and Pure Barre isn’t going to be loved by everyone. However. I have taken classes at studios in Atlanta, Birmimgham, Boulder and Chicago – in addition to all of the DC studios and a couple of the Virginia studios in my area. I have never heard anyone even mention someone else’s ankles. Because that would be ridiculous. And as far as the diversity piece – I agree that Pure Barre’s marketing folks really need to get it together – the marketing is pretty terrible and homogenous. But as someone who lives in this sphere daily (I’m a diversity and inclusion manager for a big law firm), I can say that one of the the things I love about Pure Barre is that it’s so incredibly diverse. It’s one of my favorite things about the studio. I don’t do homogenous – in my day to day life and in my fitness – and I can say without hesitation that Pure Barre is the furtherest thing from that. As a woman of color who considers herself a feminist, I was kind of confused by some of the criticisms in the piece (it’s here if you really want to read it. It’s kind of odd though, you’ve been warned). Honestly? I just didn’t identify with the vast majority of the piece. When I’m in the studio before class, I’m chatting with the women around me and dashing out to fill up my water. I don’t see the connections between a workout and purity that the author makes. I find them confusing, to be honest.
I am pretty vocal about why I love Pure Barre and I know I’m not alone. Of course, I have plenty of friends who just don’t get the hype. Just like anything, it’s not for everyone. But…if you’ve been thinking about giving it a try – do it.
Barre – love it, hate it, or indifferent?
I have really been wanting to do barre classes for a while now but they are so expensive!! But after my next half in two weeks I am totally going to start focusing on strength training, and I joined a new gym opening here that is including barre classes in their group fitness so I’m hoping those classes will be good. I’m excited!!
That’s great – I hope you love it!
I’ve always wanted to try it, but we don’t have anything like that where I live! Maybe one day though 🙂
Hopefully a studio will open your way soon!
I started Pure Barre not too long ago. It has changed my life! I’ve already been able to tell a difference in my running and my body. I’m trying to go at least 2-3 times a week. It is well worth the money!
I agree completely!
thanks for this post. i definitely need to go to barre class more often! i often feel conflicted because i don’t know whether to count it as cardio or strength (and i try to balance out my cardio/strength workouts). do you count barre class as cardio or crosstraining? i find that i sweat a lot and the class is difficult but i’m not sure it qualifies as cardio…
Barre is cross training / strength training. It’s a full body workout and does have some cardio but it’s mostly strengthening! Unless you are doing a platform class – that is totally cardio!
I’ve done at home Barre workouts on DVDs but never the real deal. I would like to remedy that this summer and at least do one studio class!
Yes I hope you can get to a class!
I need to get back to doing barre regularly. I love that you love it so much and talk about it often. That shot highlights your arm! Whoa! Awesome work 🙂
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Thanks Alaina – I really do love my Pure Barre community!
I need to give barre another try. I like it, but I can’t seem to commit to it. Studios in general are too much of a commitment and expense for me so I like to do workout classes offered through work due to convenience and cost. But I’m gonna check out that article…sounds crazy!
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Yes, it’s definitely not cheap. I have a yearly membership at Pure Barre but I don’t have any other gym memberships. I definitely make sure to get my money’s worth, though! 🙂
I’ve never tried Pure Barre but I found a similar studio near me and am thinking of trying it once the next few weeks of 5K races (series) are over. Looks like a great workout and I’ve always wanted to give it a shot.
I think you’d really like it, Amy Lauren!
Courtney, I love PB too! This may sound silly but it reminds me a lot of CrossFit, except I don’t know the choreography beforehand and everyone does the workout together in sync. The community is the best!
I couldn’t help but giggle reading that other article though; I feel like the author had a preconceived notion and didn’t really get what PB is really about.
Our studio is pretty diverse too and our instructors come from many different backgrounds (and shapes/sizes).
I did notice the “ankle” comment was one instructor to another instructor and I thought about it and realized our instructors always wear long tights whether teaching or taking a class and maybe that’s just their “dress code;” it is their job after all (I’ve also never noticed a yoga teacher wearing anything other than long tights either, unless it was a man).
Another note she made was not seeing a transformation, which I can understand. But just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I’ve been doing PB for 3 months now about 3-5xweek, and physically I don’t look any different, but during class I will notice where I got stronger because I can go deeper and work harder longer than before.
So glad you also love PB – I will say seeing the physical transformation took awhile but now I can see it in my arms and even my core (as I like to say, I have the very very beginnings of baby abs, lol). 🙂
Great post! I love the passion you have for PB!
thanks Savannah 🙂
I tried Pure Barre because of your reviews, and I love it! I went in with a completely open mind and right away I was shaking and sore. I try to go every weekend, and I have some DVDs to get workouts in at home. Some of the teachers at my studio are also runners, so we can talk shop before or after class.
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Courtney, I keep saying that I’m going to go and I just haven’t done it. I think part of my problem is that I hate getting sweaty after work and then having to home and take another shower before dinner – ha! Yes, I guess I really am that lazy – hahaha! There is a studio that’s pretty close to our home, though, so I need to check it out!
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DO IT. Maybe go on a day you aren’t running?
Do it – I think you’d really love it!
I LOVED barre and went once a week while training for MCM 2 years ago. However, at $20 a class I just could not justify the expense any more. I would love to be able to go back to it someday though.
It ain’t cheap, that’s for sure. But for me, it’s worth it. It’s basically all my strength training so I need it 🙂
I’m going to a free Pure Barre class this weekend to try it out. I think I’ll love it!
OOOH! Enjoy – I hope you do love it 🙂